Sunday, June 14, 2009

Pregnant Again?







No I'm not five months pregnant in these pictures. Over the past couple months my stomach is getting bigger... and I'm excercising every day! So I decided to go in for a consultation to see what was going on. I went to three surgeons (one general and two plastic) and come to find out I have something called, "Diastasis Recti" which is a seperation of the ab muscles. This is mainly from having twins. After you have a baby the muscles usually go back together but from having twins and then another baby, my muscles went kapoot! Come to find out, by exercising I was making it worse. When my ab muscles were strengthening, they were going outward instead of together and pushing everything outward. So the saying, "My guts are hanging out!" wasn't an understatement.
John and I went through hours of trying to get our insurance to cover this procedure but it is coded a "diastasis" and our insurance does not cover it. Basically, you have to get your face blown off in order for them to cover anything. But we felt good about going with a certain doctor and paying for the procedure even though it will cost us six grand.
So... after much praying, we decided to go through with the procedure and I had a full abdominoplasty on June 8th. It took the doctor three hours or so and he said it was the biggest diastasis he has ever seen. My abs were seperated seven inches! It was an outpatient procedure so I stayed in his facility for a couple hours and then went home. The first day I felt totally nautious because I had way too many pain meds in me. I also had a pain pump inside that sprayed pain meds to my abs. John took a week off and now my Mom and Sam are here to take care of me. I have had numerous meals brought in from neighbors and John just let me rest all week which was much needed. I have had two c-sections and would say this surgery is probably the same as those if not worse because it is dealing with a lot of muscle. But every day is getting easier and my results are amazing. I am going to post more pictures of my after results within the next couple days so stay posted.
After seeing my end results (even though I am still bruised and swollen) my son Enoch said, "Wow mom! You look like a teenager!" So keep in touch!

6 comments:

Michelle said...

oh sarah!!!! heal quickly. sure wish I could be out there to help. love you!

Teresa Stubbs said...

I'm such an awesome care taker, I know. ;) You should post "between" pics, before you post the "after". You seriously are looking so freaking awesome.

michele said...

Sarah, I am so sorry!! I am glad you found out what was wrong. Let me know if you need any help, I am not too far.

Becky said...

That is awesome you posted those pics on your blog! It's cool you have those too, so you can remember what it used to look like. I'm excited to see you soon. Love you, I hope you heal quickly.

Liz said...

You are looking smashing! I couldn't believe it when I saw you today! You do look like a teenager. You have a teeny frame and now it shows.

Melissa said...

I can't wait to see your after pictures. How fun! I hope you are feeling better.